Joahaz is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically within the historical narratives of the Kings of Judah. His name, meaning "Yahweh has grasped," reflects the theocentric nature of Hebrew names, often signifying divine intervention or favor.

1. Joahaz, King of Judah:

Joahaz, also known as Jehoahaz, was the son of King Josiah and Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. He ascended to the throne of Judah following the death of his father, Josiah, who was killed in battle at Megiddo by Pharaoh Neco of Egypt. Joahaz's reign was notably brief, lasting only three months in 609 B.C.

The biblical account of Joahaz's reign is found in 2 Kings 23:31-34 and 2 Chronicles 36:1-4. The Berean Standard Bible states in 2 Kings 23:31, "Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother’s name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah; she was from Libnah."

Despite his short reign, Joahaz's rule was marked by a return to the idolatrous practices that his father Josiah had worked to eradicate. The Bible does not provide extensive details about his specific actions, but it is clear that his reign did not align with the religious reforms of his father. This deviation from the path of righteousness likely contributed to his downfall.

Pharaoh Neco, who had previously defeated Josiah, deposed Joahaz and took him captive to Egypt. The BSB records in 2 Kings 23:33-34, "Pharaoh Neco imprisoned him at Riblah in the land of Hamath to prevent him from reigning in Jerusalem, and he imposed on Judah a levy of a hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold. Then Pharaoh Neco made Eliakim son of Josiah king in place of his father Josiah and changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim. But he took Jehoahaz and carried him off to Egypt, where he died."

Joahaz's removal and subsequent death in Egypt marked a significant moment in the decline of the Davidic line's political power, as foreign influence began to dominate the affairs of Judah. His deposition by Pharaoh Neco also illustrates the geopolitical struggles of the region during this period, with Egypt asserting its dominance over Judah.

2. Joahaz, Son of Jehu:

Another individual named Joahaz, also referred to as Jehoahaz, appears in the biblical narrative as the son of Jehu, king of Israel. This Joahaz reigned over Israel in Samaria for seventeen years, as recorded in 2 Kings 13:1-9. His reign was characterized by continued idolatry and the worship of the golden calves, which had been established by Jeroboam.

The BSB notes in 2 Kings 13:2, "He did evil in the sight of the LORD and followed the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit, and he did not turn away from them." Despite his unfaithfulness, the LORD showed mercy to Israel during his reign, providing deliverance from the oppression of the Arameans.

Joahaz's reign is a testament to the enduring patience and mercy of God, who, despite the persistent disobedience of His people, continued to offer opportunities for repentance and deliverance. His account serves as a reminder of the consequences of idolatry and the importance of faithfulness to the covenant with God.

3. Theological Significance:

The accounts of Joahaz, both in Judah and Israel, highlight the recurring theme of covenant unfaithfulness and the resulting divine judgment. They serve as cautionary tales about the dangers of departing from the ways of the LORD and the inevitable consequences of such actions. At the same time, they underscore God's willingness to extend grace and deliverance, even in the face of persistent rebellion.

Joahaz's life and reign, though brief and marked by failure, are integral to understanding the broader narrative of Israel and Judah's history, illustrating the complex interplay between divine sovereignty, human agency, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.Joahaz

apprehending; possessing; seeing

Joahaz

(whom Jehovah holds), the father of Joah, the chronicler or keeper of the records to King Josiah. (2 Chronicles 34:8) (B.C. before 623.)

(2 Chronicles 34:8), a contracted form of Jehoahaz (q.v.). JOAHAZ

jo'-a-haz (yo'-achaz, "Yahweh has grasped" = "Jehoahaz"):

(1) Father of JOAH (4) (2 Chronicles 34:8).

(2) the Revised Version (British and American) and Hebrew in 2 Kings 14:1 for Jehoahaz, king of Israel.

See JEHOAHAZ.

(3) the Revised Version (British and American) and Hebrew in 2 Chronicles 36:2, 4 for JEHOAHAZ, king of Judah (which see).

3099. Yoachaz -- Jehoahaz, Joahaz
... 3098, 3099. Yoachaz. 3100 . Jehoahaz, Joahaz. Transliteration: Yoachaz Phonetic
Spelling: (yo-aw-khawz') Short Definition: Joahaz. ... Jehoahaz, Joahaz. ...
/hebrew/3099.htm - 6k

3059. Yehoachaz -- "Yah has grasped," the name of several ...
... Word Origin from Yhvh and achaz Definition "Yah has grasped," the name of several
Isr. NASB Word Usage Jehoahaz (19), Joahaz (1). Jehoahaz. ...
/hebrew/3059.htm - 6k

Josiah
... when he had purged the land, and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah,
and Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/josiah.htm

Joahaz (5 Occurrences)
... (2 Chronicles 34:8), a contracted form of Jehoahaz (qv). Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. JOAHAZ. ... Multi-Version Concordance Joahaz (5 Occurrences). ...
/j/joahaz.htm - 8k

Joah (10 Occurrences)
... (4.) Son of Joahaz, and "recorder" (qv) or keeper of the state archives under King
Josiah (2 Chronicles 34:8). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. JOAH. ...
/j/joah.htm - 11k

Jo'ahaz (2 Occurrences)
... Joahaz, Jo'ahaz. Joakim . ... 2 Kings 14:1 In the second year of Joash son of Joahaz
king of Israel began Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah to reign. ...
/j/jo'ahaz.htm - 7k

Jo'ah (8 Occurrences)
Jo'ah. Joah, Jo'ah. Joahaz . Multi-Version Concordance Jo'ah (8 Occurrences). ...
(See RSV). Joah, Jo'ah. Joahaz . Reference Bible.
/j/jo'ah.htm - 8k

Zarakes
... the King James Version Zaraces): Occurs in the difficult passage, 1 Esdras 1:38,
as the equivalent of Jehoahaz (2 Kings 23:34) and Joahaz (2 Chronicles 36:4 ...
/z/zarakes.htm - 7k

Neco (9 Occurrences)
... changed his name to Jehoiakim. Neco took Joahaz his brother, and carried him
to Egypt. (WEB JPS ASV BBE NAS RSV NIV). Jeremiah 46:2 Of ...
/n/neco.htm - 11k

Josiah's (4 Occurrences)
... when he had purged the land and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and
Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder ...
/j/josiah's.htm - 7k

Jehoi'akim (34 Occurrences)
... changed his name to Jehoiakim. And Neco took Joahaz his brother, and carried
him to Egypt. (See RSV). 2 Chronicles 36:5 Jehoiakim ...
/j/jehoi'akim.htm - 16k

Twenty-three (15 Occurrences)
... (WEB BBE DBY NAS RSV). 2 Chronicles 36:2 Joahaz was twenty-three years old when
he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. ...
/t/twenty-three.htm - 10k

Recorder (10 Occurrences)
... when he had purged the land and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and
Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder ...
/r/recorder.htm - 12k

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